Rolling Drum Assembly for Use in Smoking Article Manufacture

ABSTRACT

Rolling Drum Assembly for use in Smoking Article Manufacture The rolling drum assembly has a rolling drum ( 4 ) with a peripheral surface adapted to carry a collation of rod articles ( 1, 2 ) and a tipping paper patch ( 3 ). The rolling drum assembly also has a roll hand ( 9 ) adapted to roll the collation of rod articles ( 1, 2 ) between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum ( 4 ) and the roll hand ( 9 ) such that the tipping paper patch ( 3 ) is wrapped around the rod articles to form a smoldng article. The rolling drum assembly is adapted to wrap a tipping paper patch ( 3 ) at least twice around the collation of rod articles ( 1, 2 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a rolling drum assembly for use in smokingarticle manufacture, in particular to a rolling drum that rolls atipping paper patch around a collation of rod articles.

BACKGROUND

In the manufacture of cigarettes, tipping paper patches are providedwith adhesive and then anchored to tobacco and filter rods. The tobaccoand filter rods are then rolled so that the tipping paper patch iswrapped around the tobacco and filter rods, thereby joining themtogether.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there is provided a rolling drumassembly for use in smoking article manufacture, the rolling drumassembly comprising:

-   -   a rolling drum having a peripheral surface adapted to carry a        collation of rod articles and a tipping paper patch; and,    -   a roll hand adapted to roll the collation of rod articles        between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll        hand such that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod        articles to form a smoking article;    -   wherein the rolling drum assembly is adapted to wrap a tipping        paper patch at least twice around the collation of rod articles.

The collation rod articles may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod.The collation of rod articles may comprise two tobacco rods and one ormore filter rod components. The one or more filter rod components may bedisposed between the two tobacco rods. The tipping paper patch may bewrapped around the one or more filter rods and at least a part of eachtobacco rod to join them together.

The peripheral surface of the rolling drum may comprise a plurality offlutes that define segments of the rolling drum.

The roll hand may be adapted to roll the collation of rod articles overan odd number of segments of the rolling drum.

The roll hand may be adapted to roll the collation of rod articles overthree segments of the rolling drum.

The roll hand may be adapted to roll the collation of rod articles atleast 3.5 times over their circumference.

The roll hand may comprise a rolling surface over which the collation ofrod articles is rolled.

Each flute may comprise a suction hole for retaining a collation of rodarticles or a wrapped smoking article.

The rolling drum assembly may further comprise a suction controlcomponent adapted to provide suction to said suction hole of each flute.

The flutes may comprise first flutes adapted to receive a collation ofrod articles upstream of the roll hand, and second flutes adapted toreceive wrapped collation of rod articles downstream of the roll hand.

The first flutes and second flutes may be alternately arranged on theperipheral surface of the rolling drum.

The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to atleast the first flutes upstream of the roll hand. The suction controlcomponent may be adapted to provide suction to at least the secondflutes downstream of the roll hand.

The first flutes may comprise first suction holes and the second flutesmay comprise second suction holes. The first suction holes may beaxially offset from the second suction holes.

In an embodiment, the suction control component comprises a firstsuction channel that is aligned with the first suction holes upstream ofthe roll hand, and a second suction channel that is aligned with thesecond suction holes downstream of the roll hand.

In an embodiment, the suction control component includes a suctionchannel comprising a single track, wherein the distance of the trackfrom the edge of the rolling drum varies so that a first portion of thetrack is aligned with the first suction holes upstream of the roll hand,and a second portion of the track is aligned with the second suctionholes downstream of the roll hand.

The first and second flutes may be arranged so that the first flutes donot receive a wrapped collation of rod articles downstream of the rollhand.

The peripheral surface of the rolling drum may further comprise tippingpaper suction holes adapted to retain said tipping paper patches on theperipheral surface upstream of the roll hand.

The rolling drum assembly may further comprise a suction controlcomponent adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holesfor at least a part of the time that the collation of rod articles isbeing rolled by the roll hand.

The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to thetipping paper suction holes for a beginning part of the rolling of thecollation of rod articles by the roll hand.

The suction control component may be adapted to provide suction to thetipping paper suction holes while the collation of rod articles isrolled at least once over its circumference.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedapparatus for assembling smoking articles comprising the rolling drumassembly described above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a smoking article assembled using the apparatus describedabove.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of assembling smoking articles comprising:

-   -   carrying a collation of rod articles and a tipping paper patch        on a peripheral surface of a rolling drum; and,    -   rolling the collation of rod articles between the peripheral        surface of the rolling drum and a rolling surface such that the        tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod articles to form a        smoking article;    -   wherein the tipping paper patch is wrapped at least twice around        the collation of rod articles.

The collations of rod articles may be carried in flutes on theperipheral surface of the rolling drum. Suction may be applied to retainthe collations of rod articles and tipping paper patches on theperipheral surface of the rolling drum.

The collations of rod articles may be rolled over an odd number offlutes.

Suction may be applied to at least first flutes upstream of the rollhand to retain collations of rod articles. Additionally, suction mayapplied to at least second flutes downstream of the roll hand to retainwrapped smoking articles. The first and second flutes may be alternatelyarranged on the rolling drum.

Suction may be applied to retain the tipping paper patch on theperipheral surface of the rolling drum for a time after the collation ofrod articles starts to be rolled between the peripheral surface of therolling drum and the roll hand.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a smoking article assembled using the method described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a shows a side view of a collation of rods, and a tipping paperpatch;

FIG. 1b shows an end view of a collation of rods, and a tipping paperpatch, all received in a flute of a rolling drum;

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the rolling drum;

FIG. 3a shows a side view of the rolling drum;

FIG. 3b shows a cross-section of the rolling drum;

FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of a suction control component; and,

FIG. 4b shows a first side view of the suction control component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b , during assembly of smoking articles twotobacco rods 1 and at least one filter rod 2 are arranged in acollation. In the collation, the one or more filter rods 2 are disposedbetween the two tobacco rods 1. This collation is joined using a tippingpaper patch 3 that is wrapped around the at least one filter rod 2 and apart of each tobacco rod 1. FIG. 1a shows a single filter rod 2 disposedbetween two tobacco rods 1, but it will be appreciated that thecollation of rod articles may include several filter rods 2.

Tipping paper patches 3 are provided by apparatus that applies adhesiveto one side of a web of tipping paper and cuts the web to form patches3. Each tipping paper patch 3 is then anchored to a collation of rods 1,2 in such a way that the tipping paper patch 3 overlies the one or morefilter rods 2 and at least a part of each tobacco rod 1.

The tipping paper patch 3 has adhesive applied to one side and one endregion of the tipping paper patch 3 is pressed onto the collation ofrods 1, 2 so that the tipping paper patch 3 is anchored to the collationof rods 1, 2 by the adhesive. In this way, when the collation of rods 1,2 is rolled, the tipping paper patch 3 will be adhered around thecircumference of the rods 1, 2, joining them together to form twosmoking articles joined end-to-end. This can then be cut through thecentre to form two smoking articles.

The collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3 are rolled by arolling drum 4 so that the tipping paper patch 3 is wrapped around thecollation of rods 1, 2.

FIG. 1b shows the collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3when they are received in a flute 5 of a rolling drum 4 after thetipping paper patch 3 has been anchored to the collation of rods 1, 2.The flute 5 is formed in the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4and comprises a curved recess in which the collation of rods 1, 2 andtipping paper patch 3 are received. Although a single flute 5 is shownin FIG. 1b , a plurality of flutes are formed around the peripheralsurface 6 of the rolling drum 4. Each flute 5 extends in an axialdirection across the peripheral surface 6, such that the collations ofrods 1, 2 move in a direction transverse to their length when therolling drum 4 rotates.

As shown, the anchorage between the tipping paper patch 3 and thecollation of rods 1, 2 is created by a partial wrapping of the tippingpaper patch 3 around the collation of rods 1, 2. The tipping paper patch3 extends over the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 in atrailing direction. That is, the rolling drum 4 rotates in the directionindicated by arrow 7 and the tipping paper patch 3 extends in theopposite direction, so that it trails behind the collation of rods 1, 2.

As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, as the rolling drum 4rotates in the direction of arrow 7, the collation of rods 1, 2 iscaused to roll out of the flute 5 and along the peripheral surface 6 ofthe rolling drum 4 in the direction of arrow 8. As the collation of rods1, 2 is rolled in this manner the tipping paper patch 3 is wrappedaround the collation of rods 1, 2, thereby joining them together. Thewrapped collation is then received in another flute, which waspreviously upstream of the initial flute, and can be transferred tofurther apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows the rolling drum assembly of an apparatus for assemblingsmoking articles. The rolling drum assembly comprises a rolling drum 4and a roll hand 9. The rolling drum 4 has a peripheral surface 6 with aplurality of flutes 5 to receive collations of rods 1, 2 with tippingpaper patches 3 anchored thereto, as described with reference to FIG. 1b.

The rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7 and the roll hand9 remains stationary to cause the rolling action previously describedwith reference to FIG. 1b . That is, the roll hand 9 causes thecollation of rods 1, 2 to roll out of the flute 5 and along theperipheral surface 6 and into an upstream flute, thereby wrapping thecollation of rods 1, 2 with the tipping paper patch 3.

The rolling drum 4 has a receiving position, indicated by line 10. As aflute 5 passes this receiving position 10 a collation of rods 1, 2 istransferred into that flute 5 together with a tipping paper patch 3. Inthis example, the collation of rods 1, 2 and tipping paper patch 3 canbe transferred onto the rolling drum 4 from an upstream supply drum (notshown). In other examples, the tobacco rods 1, at least one filter rod 2and tipping paper patch 3 may be supplied by different drums (notshown). Regardless, a flute 5 of the rolling drum 4 receives two tobaccorods 1, at least one filter rod 2, and a tipping paper patch 3.

The collation of rods 1, 2 is received in the flute 5 in the mannerdescribed with reference to FIG. 1b , that is, with the tipping paperpatch 3 trailing over the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4.The collation of rods 1, 2 and the tipping paper patch 3 are retained inthe flute 5 by suction holes, as described in more detailed withreference to FIGS. 3a to 4 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, as the rolling drum 4 rotates, the collation of rods1, 2 and tipping paper patch 3 are carried to the roll hand 9. The rollhand 9 comprises a leading edge that contacts the collation of rods 1, 2and pushes it out of the flute 5 as the rolling drum 4 rotates. The rollhand 9 also comprises a rolling surface 12 which is parallel to andspaced from the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4. In otherwords, the rolling surface 12 is curved, with a larger radius than theperipheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 and centred on the axis ofrotation of the rolling drum 4.

After the collation of rods 1, 2 has been pushed out of the flute 5 itis rolled between the moving peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4and the stationary rolling surface 12 of the roll hand 9. Due to thecontact with the roll hand 9 and rolling drum 4, the collation of rods1, 2 will rotate in an opposite direction to the rolling drum 4 andeffectively roll backwards relative to the peripheral surface 6 of therolling drum 4, such that the trailing tipping paper patch 3 is wrappedaround the collation of rods 1, 2.

It will be appreciated that during this rolling action the collation ofrods 1, 2 will move in a backwards direction relative to the rollingdrum 4, while moving in a forwards direction relative to the stationaryroll hand 9. That is, the collation of rods 1, 2 will move in a forwardsdirection at a slower speed than the speed that the peripheral surface 6of the rolling drum 4 is moving in the forwards direction 7.

The roll hand 9 is positioned relative to the rolling drum 4 so that,once the collation of rods 1, 2 is pushed out of the flute 5 and isdisposed between the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4 and therolling surface 12 of the roll hand 9, the collation of rods 1, 2 isslightly compressed. This ensures that the tipping paper patch 3 istightly wrapped around the collation of rods 1, 2 to facilitatesufficient adhesion between the tipping paper patch 3 and the collationof rods 1, 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a collation of rods 1, 2 is received on the rollingdrum 4 in every other flute 5. For the sake of clarity, the odd fluteswill be considered as a first group of flutes 5 a, and the even fluteswill be considered as a second group of flutes 5 b. The first flutes 5 aand second flutes 5 b are thus alternately arranged around theperipheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

Upstream of the roll hand 9, the odd flutes 5 a receive a collation ofrods 2 and a tipping paper patch 3. The even flutes 5 b, which aredisposed in between the odd flutes 5 a, are empty before the roll hand9. That is, the even flutes 5 b do not receive a collation of rods 1, 2before reaching the roll hand 9.

In this example, the tipping paper patches 3 are designed to be wrappedaround the collation of rods 1, 2 at least twice, so that two layers oftipping paper circumscribe the collation of rods 1, 2.

The rolling surface 12 of the roll hand 9 extends from the leading edge11 of the roll hand 9 in a direction around the circumference of therolling drum 4. As shown, the roll hand 9 extends a distance equivalentto four flutes 5. In other words, if the space between two adjacentflutes 5 on the rolling drum 4 is considered to be one segment, the rollhand 9 extends the length of three segments around the rolling drum 4.

Therefore, when a collation of rods 1, 2 is rolled, it will be rolledfrom an odd flute 5 a, over an even flute 5 b, over a second odd flute 5a, and will reach a second even flute 5 b as the rolled collation ofrods 1, 2 reaches the end of the roll hand 9. That is, the collation ofrods 1, 2 is rolled over three segments of the rolling drum 4, from anodd flute 5 a to an even flute 5 b.

In FIG. 2, the arc length between each flute 5 on the peripheral surface6 of the rolling drum 4 corresponds to approximately 1.5 rotations of acollation of rods 1, 2 over its circumference. Therefore, when acollation of rods 1, 2 is rolled over three segments, the collation ofrods 1, 2 will be rolled approximately 4.5 times over its circumference.

In other embodiments, the arc length may equate to between 1 and 3rotations of the collation of rods 1, 2 over its circumference.Therefore, a collation of rods 1, 2 may be rolled between 3 and 9 timesover its circumference, preferably at least 3.5 times. It will beappreciated that the exact number of times a collation of rods 1, 2 isrolled will depend on the diameter of the rods 1, 2, so will vary if theeventual smoking articles are slimmer or thicker.

It has been found that by rolling the collation of rod articles 1, 2 atleast 3, and up to 9, times over their circumference, the tipping paperpatch 3 is wrapped twice around the collation of rods 1, 2 and isthoroughly adhered.

As explained above, upstream of the roll hand 9 a collation of rods 1,2, together with a tipping paper patch 3, is received in an odd flute 5a. As the rolled collation of rods 1, 2 leaves the downstream end of theroll hand 9 it is received in an even flute 5 b.

The rolling drum assembly also includes a suction control component 13.The rolling drum 4 rotates relative to the suction control component 13.The suction control component is configured to supply suction to suctionholes in the odd and even flutes 5 of the rolling drum 4 during rotationof the rolling drum 4.

The suction control component 13 and suction holes in the rolling drum 4are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3a to 4 b.

FIG. 3a shows a side view of the rolling drum 4 with odd flutes 5 a andeven flutes 5 b, as described with reference to FIG. 2. Also shown inFIG. 3a , the odd flutes 5 a each comprise a pair of first suction holes14 and the even flutes 5 b each comprise a pair of second suction holes15.

The suction control component is configured so that upstream of the rollhand 9, the suction control component 13 applies suction to the firstsuction holes 14 and not to the second suction holes 15.

The suction control component configured so that downstream of the rollhand 9, the suction control component 13 applies suction to the secondsuction holes 15 and not to the first suction holes 14.

The first suction holes 14 are arranged in two rows of first suctionholes 14, two suction holes 14 in each odd flute 5 a. These rows offirst suction holes 14 are aligned along the peripheral surface 6 of therolling drum 4. That is, each row of first suction holes 14 ispositioned the same distance from a centre line 17 of the peripheralsurface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

The second suction holes 15 are arranged in two rows of second suctionholes 15, two suction holes 15 in each even flute 5 b. These rows ofsecond suction holes 15 are aligned along the peripheral surface 6 ofthe rolling drum 4. That is, each row of second suction holes 15 ispositioned the same distance from a centre line 17 of the peripheralsurface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

The rows of first and second suction holes 14, 15 in the rolling drum 4are axially separated. Each row of first suction holes 14 is aligned ata first distance from the centre line 17 of the rolling drum 4, whileeach row of second suction holes 15 is aligned at a second distance fromthe centre line 17 of the rolling drum 4.

Also shown in FIG. 3a , each flute 5 of the rolling drum 4 alsocomprises a pair of third suction holes 34. These third suction holes 34are positioned closer to the centre line 17 of the rolling drum 4, thatis, they are disposed between the first or second suction holes 14, 15.The third suction holes 34 are provided with suction upstream of theroll hand 9 and downstream of the roll hand 9, to retain the unwrappedfilter rod 2 components upstream of the roll hand 9, and the filter partof the wrapped collation of rods 1, 2 downstream of the roll hand 9

As shown in FIG. 3b , which is a cross-section taken through line A-Ashown in FIG. 3a , the rolling drum 4 is formed of a cylinder with abore 18 extending through the rolling drum 4.

The first, second and third suction holes 14, 15, 34 extend from theperipheral surface 6 of the rolling drum 4, through the rolling drum 4,and into the bore 18. Therefore, the first, second and third suctionholes 14, 15, 34 each have an opening on the peripheral surface 6 of therolling drum 4, and an opening on the inner surface 20 of the rollingdrum 4.

FIG. 4a shows a suction control component 13 configured to be receivedwithin the bore 18 of the rolling drum 4. The suction control component13 fits within the rolling drum 4, and the rolling drum 4 rotates aroundthe stationary suction control component 13. An outer surface 21 of thesuction control component 13 is in close proximity to the inner surface20 of the rolling drum 4, and a seal may be provided to seal any gapbetween these surfaces.

The suction control component 13 also comprises an inner space 22, whichis connected to a suction source, for example a vacuum pump, so that airis evacuated from the inner space 22 of the suction control component13.

As shown in FIG. 4a , the suction control component 13 comprises aplurality of suction channels 23, 24, 35 that are formed of passagesextending through the suction control component 13 from the outersurface 21, which is in close proximity into the inner surface 20 of therolling drum 4, to the inner space 22 of the suction control component13, which is supplied with suction.

The suction channels 23, 24 are arranged such that, as the rolling drum4 rotates, the first, second and third suction holes 14, 15, move intoand out of alignment with the suction channels 23, 24, 35. Therefore,the configuration of the suction channels 23, 24, 35 determines whensuction is applied to the first, second and third suction holes 14, 15,34 in the rolling drum 4 as the rolling drum 4 rotates.

The configuration of the suction channels 23, 24, 35 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 b.

As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b , the suction control component 13 has afirst suction channel 23, second suction channels 24 and third suctionchannels 35.

The first suction channel 23 is formed of an opening that aligns withthe two rows of first suction holes 14 and the third suction holes 34 inthe rolling drum 4. Therefore, as the rolling drum 4 rotates, the firstsuction holes 14 and the third suction holes 34 will be provided withsuction as they pass over the first suction channel 23 in the suctioncontrol component 13. The second suction channels 24 are positioned sothat the second suction holes 15 in the roll drum align with the secondsuction channels 24 during rotation, thereby to provide suction to thesecond suction holes 15. The two rows of second suction channels 24 arenot aligned with the first suction channel 23, so that the first suctionchannel 23 does not provide suction to the second suction holes 15.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rolling drum rotates through a firstregion 25 defined between the receiving position 10 and the leading edge11 of the roll hand 9. The first suction channel 23 is arranged toprovide suction in this first region. Therefore, in this first region25, suction is applied to the first suction holes 14 and not to thesecond suction holes 15. That is, suction is applied to the firstsuction holes 14 in the odd flutes 5 a but not to the second suctionholes 15 in the even flutes 5 b.

As previously described, in the first region 25 the odd flutes 5 a areprovided with a collation of rods 1, 2 as well as a tipping paper patch3. Therefore, the first suction holes 14 act to retain the collation ofrods 1, 2 in the odd flutes 5 a upstream of the roll hand 9.

Also, within the first region 25, suction is applied to the thirdsuction holes 34 so that the one or more filter rods 2 in each odd flute5 a are retained in the odd flute 5 a.

The end of the first suction channel 23 is aligned with the leading edge11 of the roll hand 9. Therefore, when a collation of rods 1, 2 reachesthe start of the roll hand 9 the suction that retains them in the oddflute 5 a is released and they are able to roll out of the odd flute 5 ain the manner previously described.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the rolling drum 4 also rotates through a secondregion 26 which corresponds to the length of the roll hand 9. Withinthis second region 26, no suction is applied to the first, second orthird suction holes 14, 15 and the collations of rods 1, 2 roll out ofthe odd flute 5 a and over the peripheral surface 6 of the rolling drum4, so that the tipping paper patches 3 are wrapped around the collationof rods 1, 2 to form wrapped collations of rod articles 1, 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rolling drum also rotates through a third region27. The second suction channels 24 are arranged to provide suction tothe second suction holes 15 in this region. Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the second suction channels 24 are formed of spaced apart openingsthat extend around the outer surface 21 of the suction control component13. Preferably, the second suction channels 24 are not connectedtogether across the outer surface 21. However, in other examples, thesecond suction channels 24 may be at least partially connected acrossthe outer surface 21.

These second suction channels 24 are arranged to align with the secondsuction holes 15 in the even flutes 5 b of the rolling drum 4. On theother hand, the first suction holes 14 in the odd flutes 5 a of therolling drum 4 are not aligned with the second suction channels 24, andare instead closed off by the peripheral surface 6 of the suctioncontrol component 13. Therefore, downstream of the roll hand 9, thesecond suction holes 15 in the even flutes 5 b are provided withsuction, for retaining the rolled collations of rod articles 1, 2.

The third suction channels 35 also comprise spaced apart openings thatextend around the outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13in the third region 27. The third suction channels are arranged to alignwith the third suction holes 34. Therefore, the third suction channels35 are arranged between the second suction channels 24. Therefore,downstream of the roll hand 9, the third suction holes 34 are activatedto retain the filter part of the wrapped collation of rod articles 1, 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the third region 27 extends from the end of the rollhand 9 to the transfer point 28 that the rolled collations of rodarticles 1, 2 are released from the rolling drum 4 for transfer toanother drum or conveyor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4a , on an upstream side of the first suction channel23, the suction control component 13 comprises a relief area 29, wherethe outer surface 21 is lowered so that it is not in close proximity tothe inner surface 20 of the rolling drum 4. This relief area 29 that isopen to the atmosphere or a reservoir. This relief area 29 allows thepressure to equalise, so that any residual suction or increased pressureis dissipated.

Furthermore, within the second region 26, corresponding to the roll hand9, the outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13 may have arecessed area 30 that is not in close proximity to the inner surface 20of the rolling drum 4, so that the pressure may equalise by allowing anyresidual low pressure to dissipate. This prevents residual suctionaffecting the rolling process, for example by pulling the tipping paperpatch 3 during rolling.

As shown in FIG. 3a and 3b , the peripheral surface 6 of the rollingdrum 4 also has groups of tipping paper suction holes 16. Thesecorrespond to the position of the tipping paper patch 3 in the firstregion 25, upstream of the roll hand 9.

The groups of tipping paper suction holes 16 each comprise a pluralityof suction holes 16 arranged in an array on a downstream side of eachodd flute 5 a, so that a tipping paper patch 3 covers the tipping papersuction holes 16 upstream of the roll hand 9, in the first region 25.

As shown in FIG. 3a , the group of tipping paper suction holes 16 mayextend over an adjacent even flute 5 b. For example, a tipping paperpatch 3 suitable for wrapping twice around a collation of rods 1, 2 maybe long enough to extend from the collation of rods 1, 2 in an odd flute5 a, over the adjacent even flute 5 b in the trailing direction. In thiscase, the third suction holes 34 in that adjacent even flute 5 b may actto retain a part of the tipping paper patch 3.

The tipping paper suction holes 16 extend through the rolling drum 4,from the peripheral surface 6 to the inner surface 20. The tipping papersuction holes 16 are aligned with the first suction channel 23.Therefore, as the tipping paper suction holes 16 pass by the firstsuction channel 23, in the first region 25, they are provided withsuction and the tipping paper patch 3 is pulled against the peripheralsurface 6 of the rolling drum 4.

In the third region 27, downstream of the roll hand 9, the tipping papersuction holes 16 are not aligned with any of the first, second or thirdsuction channels 23, 24, 35 and so are not provided with suction.

In the second region 26, corresponding to the roll hand 9, the suctioncontrol component 13 is adapted to apply suction to the tipping papersuction holes 16 for a time after each collation of rods 1, 2 begins tobe rolled by the roll hand 9. The suction control component 13 appliessuction to the tipping paper patch 3 during the beginning part of therolling process so that the trailing edge of the tipping paper patch 3is controlled.

As shown in FIG. 4b , the suction control component 13 comprises tippingpaper suction channels 31 that extend from the end of the first suctionchannel 23 into the second region of rotation 26. These tipping papersuction channels 31 are aligned to the tipping paper suction holes 16 inthe rolling drum 4.

Therefore, at the end of the first region 25, as a collation of rods 1,2 passes the leading edge 11 of the roll hand 9 and enters the secondregion 26, suction being provided to the first suction holes 14 in theodd flutes 5 a is deactivated, while suction being provided to thetipping paper suction holes 16 remains activated for a short time.

The time the tipping paper suction holes 16 remain activated in thesecond region 26 corresponds to between 0.5 and 2 rotations of a smokingarticle over its circumference between the rolling drum 4 and roll hand9, preferably between 1 and 2 rotations of a smoking article over itscircumference. More preferably, suction is applied to the tipping paperpatch 3 via the tipping paper suction holes 16 during approximately thefirst 1.5 rotations of a smoking article over its circumference. Region33, indicated in FIG. 2, shows the region where suction is provided tothe tipping paper suction holes 16 at the beginning of the rollingprocess. As shown, this region 33 extends over slightly more than onesegment of the rolling drum 4.

Therefore, the suction being applied to the tipping paper patch 3 ismaintained for a time to control the trailing edge of the tipping paperpatch 3 as the rolling process begins, but is deactivated in time toallow the smoking article to be rolled freely by the roll hand 9.

The tipping paper patches 3 may have been curled prior to being cut andfed onto the rolling drum 4. Therefore, suction is provided to thetipping paper patch 3 during the beginning part of the rolling processto prevent the trailing edge of the tipping paper patches 3 elasticallycurling upwards, which may affect the rolling process.

The length of the tipping paper suction channels 31 will determine thetime for which the tipping paper suction holes 16 remain activatedwithin the second region 26. In this example, the tipping paper suctionchannels 31 extend for a distance approximately corresponding to thedistance between an odd flute 5 a and an even flute 5 b on the rollingdrum 4. Therefore, as a collation of rods 1, 2 reaches the roll hand 9and is rolled out of the odd flute 5 a onto the peripheral surface 6 ofthe rolling drum 4, suction is provided to the tipping paper suctionholes 16 approximately until the collation of rods 1, 2 reaches theadjacent even flute 5 b.

Also shown in FIG. 4b , the tipping paper suction channels 31 and therecessed area 30 of the suction control component 13 are overlapping onthe outer surface 21 of the suction control component 13. Channels 32extend from the recessed area 30 in between the tipping paper suctionchannels 31 and these channels 32 are aligned with third suction holes34, so that residual suction or pressure acting on the third suctionholes 34 is dissipated and the one or more filter rods 2 in thecollation of rods 1, 2 is released for rolling. As used herein, the term“upstream” will be understood to mean in opposite direction to therotation of the rolling drum 4. In particular, referring to FIG. 2, therolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7 and the term“upstream” will be understood to mean in a direction opposite to arrow7. Similarly, the term “downstream” will be understood to mean indirection of rotation of the rolling drum 4. In particular, referring toFIG. 2, the rolling drum 4 rotates in the direction of arrow 7 and theterm “downstream” will be understood to mean in the direction of arrow7.

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable productssuch as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco,tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobaccosubstitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may beprovided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

As used herein, the term “tipping paper” includes and material suitablefor attaching the filter to a rod of smokeable material and thereforeincludes any suitable type of paper, metallic foil, or other sheetmaterial.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety ofthis disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments inwhich the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for asuperior rolling drum 4 assembly for assembling smoking articles. Theadvantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sampleof embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They arepresented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimedfeatures. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples,functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosureare not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by theclaims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that otherembodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Variousembodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentiallyof, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components,features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includesother inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed infuture.

1. A rolling drum assembly for use in smoking article manufacture, therolling drum assembly comprising: a rolling drum having a peripheralsurface adapted to carry a collation of rod articles and a tipping paperpatch; and, a roll hand adapted to roll the collation of rod articlesbetween the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and the roll handsuch that the tipping paper patch is wrapped around the rod articles toform a smoking article; wherein the rolling drum assembly is adapted towrap a tipping paper patch at least twice around the collation of rodarticles.
 2. The rolling drum assembly of claim 1, wherein theperipheral surface of the rolling drum comprises a plurality of flutesthat define segments of the rolling drum.
 3. The rolling drum assemblyof claim 2, wherein the roll hand is adapted to roll the collation ofrod articles over an odd number of segments of the rolling drum.
 4. Therolling drum assembly of claim 3, wherein the roll hand is adapted toroll the collation of rod articles over three segments of the rollingdrum.
 5. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, wherein the roll hand isadapted to roll the collation of rod articles at least 3.5 times overtheir circumference.
 6. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, whereinthe roll hand comprises a rolling surface over which the collation ofrod articles is rolled.
 7. The rolling drum assembly of claim 2, whereineach flute comprises a suction hole for retaining a collation of rodarticles or a wrapped smoking article.
 8. The rolling drum assembly ofclaim 7, further comprising a suction control component adapted toprovide suction to said suction hole of each flute.
 9. The rolling drumassembly of claim 8, wherein the flutes comprise first flutes adapted toreceive a collation of rod articles upstream of the roll hand, andsecond flutes adapted to receive a wrapped collation of rod articlesdownstream of the roll hand.
 10. The rolling drum assembly of claim 9,wherein the first flutes and second flutes are alternately arranged onthe peripheral surface of the rolling drum.
 11. The rolling drumassembly of claim 9, wherein the suction control component is adapted toprovide suction to at least the first flutes upstream of the roll hand,and the suction control component is adapted to provide suction to atleast the second flutes downstream of the roll hand.
 12. The rollingdrum assembly of claim 11, wherein the first flutes comprise firstsuction holes and the second flutes comprise second suction holes,wherein the first suction holes are axially offset from the secondsuction holes.
 13. The rolling drum assembly of claim 12, wherein thesuction control component comprises a first suction channel that isaligned with the first suction holes upstream of the roll hand, and asecond suction channel that is aligned with the second suction holesdownstream of the roll hand.
 14. The rolling drum assembly of any ofclaim 9, wherein the first and second flutes are arranged so that thefirst flutes do not receive a wrapped collation of rod articlesdownstream of the roll hand.
 15. The rolling drum assembly of claim 1,wherein the peripheral surface of the rolling drum further comprisestipping paper suction holes adapted to retain said tipping paper patcheson the peripheral surface upstream of the roll hand.
 16. The rollingdrum assembly of claim 15, further comprising a suction controlcomponent adapted to provide suction to the tipping paper suction holesfor at least a part of the time that the collation of rod articles isbeing rolled by the roll hand.
 17. The rolling drum assembly of claim16, wherein the suction control component is adapted to provide suctionto the tipping paper suction holes for a beginning part of the rollingof the collation of rod articles by the roll hand.
 18. The rolling drumassembly of claim 17, wherein the suction control component is adaptedto provide suction to the tipping paper suction holes while thecollation of rod articles is rolled at least once over itscircumference.
 19. Apparatus for assembling smoking articles comprisingthe rolling drum assembly of claim
 1. 20. A method of assembling smokingarticles comprising: carrying a collation of rod articles and a tippingpaper patch on a peripheral surface of a rolling drum; and, rolling thecollation of rod articles between the peripheral surface of the rollingdrum and a rolling surface such that the tipping paper patch is wrappedaround the rod articles to form a smoking article; wherein the tippingpaper patch is wrapped at least twice around the collation of rodarticles.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the collations of rodarticles are carried in flutes on the peripheral surface of the rollingdrum and suction is applied to retain the collations of rod articles andtipping paper patches on the peripheral surface of the rolling drum. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein the collations of rod articles arerolled over an odd number of flutes.
 23. The method of claim 22, whereinsuction is applied to at least first flutes upstream of the roll hand toretain collations of rod articles, and suction is applied to at leastsecond flutes downstream of the roll hand to retain wrapped smokingarticles, wherein the first and second flutes are alternately arrangedon the rolling drum.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein suction isapplied to retain the tipping paper patch on the peripheral surface ofthe rolling drum for a time after the collation of rod articles startsto be rolled between the peripheral surface of the rolling drum and theroll hand.
 25. A smoking article assembled using the apparatus of claim18.
 26. (canceled)
 27. A smoking article assembled using the method ofclaim 20.